1. Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph.
The stasis is that there are a couple of gay men, Craig, Mickey, David, Ned, and Bruce, at the hospital. The first four are at the hospital, about to be examined by a polio survivor, Dr. Emma Brookner. It takes place in the 1980s, where an epidemic strikes the gay community (AIDS terror). Craig and David seem to have contracted the disease, and Dr. Brookner discuses with Ned how she believes this disease is spreading because of sexual intercourse between gay men. At first this seems preposterous, but Bruce and Mickey barge into the room carrying a very sick Craig.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion seems to be when Craig is carried in by Bruce and Mickey and soon dies shortly afterwards. This serves as the intrusion because it breaks the equilibrium provided by the stasis. The stasis is relatively calm yet grim, but Craig's death seems to provide a sense of urgency and panic. The audience can clearly sense just how serious this disease is. After this moment, the play's plot starts to thicken and move at a much more frantic pace.
3. What is the unique factor?
The unique factor is the fact that Craig is gay. He has likely contracted this disease from an ex-lover because it seems as though this disease is rampant in the gay community. Heterosexual couples generally have yet to contract this disease, so the fact that Craig is gay means that he had a higher chance of falling sick. He must have engaged in coitus with another gay man, who had spread AIDS to Craig. Had Craig been straight and not done this, then perhaps he may have never gotten this disease and died.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
Will they be able to find the cure and causes for the mysterious disease (AIDS) and publicize funding for it?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
Exposition that most people know: it actually seems that most people seem to know about Ned and his passionate personality. In fact, one of the first things Emma says to Ned is how she heard about his 'big mouth,' suggesting that she's heard of him and knows what he is like. Also, the mayor seems to think the same thing, saying how Ned was the only fiery, talkative one.
Exposition that one person knows: There is not much evidence of this kind of exposition, but only Emma (and a select few) seem to know that this disease (AIDS) is spread from gay men having sex. Many people don't believe this or don't know about it because writers and the government had refused to talk about it openly. Though there is data to support this claim, many people find this outrageous, if they even do know about it. In fact, some cases have been hidden; for example, though there are 30 weekly cases, the gay organization has counted over 40 weekly cases.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most theatrical moment is perhaps when Felix dies. This moment is very touching and tender; the audience can clearly see the climax of the play here because of the emotions in this scene. It is especially theatrical because Ned, who is seen to be fiery and straightforward, breaks down crying. He is filled with regret, and this scene is particularly important because it shows that his efforts were in vain. Though Ned had tried so hard to increase awareness of AIDS, his lover ends up dying, and the audience can grab a sense of despair because it seems as though everything was futile. This moment ends sweetly with Ned thanking his lover, which adds to the dramatics of the moment.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Some themes include illness, tragedy, love, homosexuality, homophobia, friendships, religion, death, societal norms, and family.
8. What does Ned want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of his getting what he wants?
Ned wants to increase awareness for the mysterious disease going around the gay community.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
Some possible images are
the spots that appear on the disease men: this shows the urgency of the disease since there are physical symptoms. It also helps the audience visualize who is infected by the disease and who is not.
the meals Ned and Ben eat together: these meals seem to be expensive, which show the audience how well off they both are, which is ironic because money is what the disease needs so that there is funding for research.
the notes and papers Emma throws onto the ground: this is especially important because it shows her dedication to helping her patients. She is obviously overworked, and the audience can see just how much time she has put into solving this disease.
The title helps us understand the play because a "normal" heart suggests a soul that is just like all the others. Ned wants to believe that he is normal and tries to convince his brother throughout the play that he is just a normal person, regardless of his sexuality. He is not sick and covets a normal heart because he wants his brother to approve of him and not think of him as a sick alien. This helps us realize how unwilling some people are when facing homosexuality because his brother was reluctant to talk about AIDS.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
Family is very interesting in this play. It seems as though family is not a central aspect to this play, but it certainly plays a big role in this production. For example, Ned and his brother don't seem relatively close. Though they are obviously attached to each other, their relationship seems strained in the beginning as depicted by Ben's unwillingness to write about AIDS in the gay community. Once Felix comes to him, he becomes much closer to Ned, and the audience can clearly see the familial relationship between them. It seems that the other members in the gay communities have distant relationships as well. For example, Felix is an orphan and was never particularly close to his parents. Albert had not seen his mother in years before he died. The only one who seems relatively close to his mother is Bruce, who was sent flowers once Craig died.
The stasis is that there are a couple of gay men, Craig, Mickey, David, Ned, and Bruce, at the hospital. The first four are at the hospital, about to be examined by a polio survivor, Dr. Emma Brookner. It takes place in the 1980s, where an epidemic strikes the gay community (AIDS terror). Craig and David seem to have contracted the disease, and Dr. Brookner discuses with Ned how she believes this disease is spreading because of sexual intercourse between gay men. At first this seems preposterous, but Bruce and Mickey barge into the room carrying a very sick Craig.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion seems to be when Craig is carried in by Bruce and Mickey and soon dies shortly afterwards. This serves as the intrusion because it breaks the equilibrium provided by the stasis. The stasis is relatively calm yet grim, but Craig's death seems to provide a sense of urgency and panic. The audience can clearly sense just how serious this disease is. After this moment, the play's plot starts to thicken and move at a much more frantic pace.
3. What is the unique factor?
The unique factor is the fact that Craig is gay. He has likely contracted this disease from an ex-lover because it seems as though this disease is rampant in the gay community. Heterosexual couples generally have yet to contract this disease, so the fact that Craig is gay means that he had a higher chance of falling sick. He must have engaged in coitus with another gay man, who had spread AIDS to Craig. Had Craig been straight and not done this, then perhaps he may have never gotten this disease and died.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
Will they be able to find the cure and causes for the mysterious disease (AIDS) and publicize funding for it?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most theatrical moment is perhaps when Felix dies. This moment is very touching and tender; the audience can clearly see the climax of the play here because of the emotions in this scene. It is especially theatrical because Ned, who is seen to be fiery and straightforward, breaks down crying. He is filled with regret, and this scene is particularly important because it shows that his efforts were in vain. Though Ned had tried so hard to increase awareness of AIDS, his lover ends up dying, and the audience can grab a sense of despair because it seems as though everything was futile. This moment ends sweetly with Ned thanking his lover, which adds to the dramatics of the moment.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Some themes include illness, tragedy, love, homosexuality, homophobia, friendships, religion, death, societal norms, and family.
8. What does Ned want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of his getting what he wants?
Ned wants to increase awareness for the mysterious disease going around the gay community.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
Some possible images are
The title helps us understand the play because a "normal" heart suggests a soul that is just like all the others. Ned wants to believe that he is normal and tries to convince his brother throughout the play that he is just a normal person, regardless of his sexuality. He is not sick and covets a normal heart because he wants his brother to approve of him and not think of him as a sick alien. This helps us realize how unwilling some people are when facing homosexuality because his brother was reluctant to talk about AIDS.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
Family is very interesting in this play. It seems as though family is not a central aspect to this play, but it certainly plays a big role in this production. For example, Ned and his brother don't seem relatively close. Though they are obviously attached to each other, their relationship seems strained in the beginning as depicted by Ben's unwillingness to write about AIDS in the gay community. Once Felix comes to him, he becomes much closer to Ned, and the audience can clearly see the familial relationship between them. It seems that the other members in the gay communities have distant relationships as well. For example, Felix is an orphan and was never particularly close to his parents. Albert had not seen his mother in years before he died. The only one who seems relatively close to his mother is Bruce, who was sent flowers once Craig died.